Sri Aurobindo, born Aurobindo Ghose on August 15, 1872, in Calcutta, was a philosopher, yogi, maharishi, and a pivotal figure in the Indian nationalist movement. Educated in England from age seven, he returned to India in 1893. His early exposure to Western radical thought combined with a deep rediscovery of Indian spiritual heritage defined his revolutionary trajectory.
Revolutionary Activities and Militant Nationalism
Aurobindo was a chief architect of the militant nationalist movement in Bengal, advocating for ‘Purna Swaraj’ (complete independence) long before it became the official Congress stance.
- Ideological Leadership: He was a primary contributor to Bande Mataram, a newspaper that served as the mouthpiece for extremist nationalist sentiment.
- The Concept of Passive Resistance: He authored a series of articles titled Passive Resistance in 1907, which provided the intellectual framework for boycotting British institutions, courts, and goods to make colonial administration impossible.
- National Education: He advocated for a system of national education, independent of British control, to foster self-reliance and national pride among Indian youth.
- Secret Societies: He was closely associated with the Anushilan Samiti and played a mentorship role in secret revolutionary societies that sought to overthrow British rule through militant action.
Key Historical Incidents and Imprisonment
Aurobindo’s revolutionary career reached a turning point during his involvement in the aftermath of violent anti-colonial protests.
- Alipore Bomb Case (1908): Following the Muzaffarpur bombing incident, Aurobindo was arrested along with his brother Barindra Kumar Ghose and other revolutionaries. He was charged with conspiracy against the British government.
- Trial and Acquittal: He was defended by Chittaranjan Das. The lack of concrete evidence regarding his direct involvement in the bomb-making activities led to his acquittal in 1909.
- Spiritual Transformation: During his one-year imprisonment in Alipore Jail, Aurobindo underwent a profound spiritual transformation. He claimed to have had visions and realized the divine nature of the Indian nationalist cause, which he described as ‘Sanatan Dharma’ (Eternal Religion).
Transition to Pondicherry
Following his acquittal, Aurobindo shifted his focus from active politics to spiritual evolution, a shift that marked the end of his militant career.
- Uttarpara Speech (1909): In his first public address after release, he emphasized the spiritual dimension of Indian nationalism, asserting that the movement was not merely political but a divine mission for the upliftment of humanity.
- Exile to Pondicherry (1910): To escape further British surveillance and arrest, he moved to the French-ruled territory of Pondicherry. He remained there for the rest of his life, dedicating himself to Integral Yoga and spiritual philosophy.
Major Philosophical and Political Contributions
| Work/Publication | Significance |
| Bande Mataram | Instrumental in galvanizing public opinion toward radical nationalism. |
| The Life Divine | A foundational text on his philosophical system of Integral Yoga. |
| Savitri | A monumental epic poem reflecting his spiritual consciousness. |
| Essays on the Gita | Interprets the Bhagavad Gita as a guide for contemporary human action. |
Trivia and Key Facts for Prelims
- Civil Service Entry: Aurobindo successfully passed the Indian Civil Service (ICS) examination in 1890 but was disqualified because he failed to appear for the mandatory horse-riding test.
- Association with Tilak: He was a strong proponent of the extremist faction within the Indian National Congress, aligning ideologically with Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
- Auroville: He was the inspiration behind the establishment of Auroville, an experimental international township in Pondicherry, founded by his collaborator, Mirra Alfassa (The Mother).
- Death Anniversary: His date of birth, August 15, coincides with India’s Independence Day, a fact he viewed as a divine validation of his lifelong struggle.